138 EEPaODUOTION IN PLANTS AND ANIMALS. 



the filaments of tte stamens and the style of the pistil are 

 so developed, as to bring the anthers and stigma into the 

 most favorable relative position for communicating with 

 each other. This is beautifully exemplified in the ladies 

 ear-drop (Fuschia,) which is a pendulous or drooping flower. 

 The style of the pistil is considerably elongated, and the 

 filaments of the stamens are short, so that the anther 

 cells are necessarily situated above the pistil, in order that 

 its viscid stigma or summit may receive the pollen as it 

 falls out of them. In upright flowers, on the other hand, 

 we have a reverse arrangement of the parts ; for the style 

 of the pistil is in a great measure suppressed, and the fila- 

 ments of the stamens are so developed as to place the 

 anthers above the stigmatic surface. 



The ovules having received the impregnating matter, the 

 pollen tubes wither from above downwards, the foramen or 

 mioropyle of the ovules closes, embryos or miniature plants 

 begin to form in them, and they are gradually transformed 

 into seeds. The ovary or cavity of the pistil containing the 

 ovules, gradually swells under these influences. Enlarged 

 and ripened, it constitutes the pericarp or seed vessel. 



While the fruit enlarges, the sap is drawn towards it, and a 

 series of changes soon announce that a new vitality is estab- 

 lished in the impregnated parts to the detriment of the others. 

 The flower, beautiful up to this moment, and adorned with the 

 most lively colors, loses its pleasing aspect. The petals fade 

 and fall. The stamens, having fulfilled their functions, 

 prove the same degradation. The stigma and style of the 

 pistil being now useless to the plant, disappear equally with 

 the other parts. The germen alone remains in the centre 

 of the flower, and swells into a fruit abounding with seed 

 by which the species is continued. It is not an unusual 

 thing to see the calyx persistent with the germen, and 



